Rat trap



. Nov. 13 1923. 1,4749% c. SORENSEN HAT TRAP Filed July 8. 1922 2 sheets-sneak 1 Nov. 13 1923. 11,474,6

' C. SORENS EN RAT TRAP' Filed July 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 13, 1923.

smear orrica.

CARL SORENSEN, CF GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT.

RAT TRAP.

Application filed July 8, 1922. Serial No. 573,592.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CARL SoRENsnN,-a citizen of the United States, residing at Greenwich, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Rat Trap, of which the following is a specification. 1

The device forming the subject matter of this application is a rat trap, and the invention aims to provide novel means for reinforcing the trap and for carrying the trigger. Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for mounting the lever whereby the door is controlled. A further object of the invention is to provide novel means for mounting the door for sliding movement and for holding the door in a closed position at the will of an operator.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the invention appertains.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that, within the scope of what is claimed, changes in the precise embodiment of the invention shown can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. I

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 shows in side elevation, a device constructed in accordance with the invention, parts being broken away; Figure 2 is a top plan wherein parts are broken away; Figure 8 is a fragmental vertical section showing the mounting of the movable top of the trap; Figure 4 is an end elevation; Figure 5 is a cross section on the line55 of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a fragmental horizontal section showing the mounting of the door; Figure 7 is a fragmental vertical section taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6 illustrating the latch mechanism whereby the door is held closed; Figure 8 is a fragmental horizontal section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7 through a portion of the door; Figure 9 1s a section on the line 9-9 of Figure 1; Figure 10 is a section on the line 1010 of Flgure 1.

In carrying out the invention, there is provided a box-like body 1, comprising sides 2, ends 3 and 4, and a bottom 5, the end 3 having an opening 6. Guides are secured to the inner surface of the end 3 on opposite sides of the opening 6. The guides comprise strips 7 and spacers 8, the strips 7 extending inwardly toward each other, beyond the inner edges of the spacers. A horizontal seat 9 is formed in one of the spacers 8, as shown in Figure 7. A door 10 is mounted for vertical sliding movement between the strips 7 and.

the end 3, the door reciprocating between the inner edges of the spacers 8. A transverse bore 11 is formed in the door 10. A slot 12 is fashioned in the door 10, the slot communicating with the bore. A latch 14 is mounted for right line reciprocation in the bore 11 and has a beveled end 15, adapted to engage the spacer 8 which has the seat 9, thereby to move the latch 14 inwardly, when the door 10 moves downwardly. A compres sion spring 16 is disposed in the bore 11 in the door 10 and serves to advance the latch. The outward movement of the latch 14 is limited by a pin 17 carried by the latch, the pin being mounted to move in slot 12 of the door 10.

The cap comprises a combined lifting bail and fulcrum member 18 which is U-shape, the lifting bail and fulcrum member including an intermediate portion 19 and depending arms 20 extended downwardly along the sides 2, the arms being supplied at their lower ends with inwardly projecting fingers 21 received in seats 22 fashioned in the sides 2. Retainers such as staples 23 are engaged with the arms 20 of the member 18 and are mounted in the sides 2. A lever 24 extends lengthwise of the body 1 and is fulcrumed intermediate its ends on the intermediate portion 19 of the member 18, the lever being held against sliding movement longitudinally of the part 19 of the member 18, by means of set collars 25 disposed on opposite sides of the lever and mounted on the intermediate portion 19 of the member 18. At one end, the lever 24 carries an eye 26 engaged loosely with an elongated loop 27 mounted on the upper end-of the door 10, a pivotal connection between the lever 24 and the door 10 being efi'ected.

iii

A brace or retainer 28 extends transversely of the body 1 and is located adjacent to the end 4, the brace or retainer comprising an intermediate portion 29 and depending arms 30 having inwardly extended fingers 31 re ceived in seats 32 fashioned in the sides 2 of the body 1, the arms 30 extending clownwardly along the sides 2. Notches 33 are formed in the upper edges of the sides 2, and in the notches 33, the intermediate portion 29 of the brace or retainer 28 is received.

The trap comprises a vertically swinging trigger, denoted by the numeral 34 and located relatively near to the end 4 of the bodyl, the trigger-being pivotally mounted at35 intermediate its ends, as shown in Figure 10, to swing on the part 29 o f the brace or retainer 28. trigger 34 is provided with an angularly disposed bait-carrier 36 and at its upper end, the *trigger34 is supplied with a finger 37 projecting in an opposite direction to that in which the bait carrier 36 extends. The finger 37 is adapted to be received detachably'in an eye 38 carried by the lever 24.

A partition 39 extends across the body 1, between the sides, and is located intermediate the ends of the body. The partition 39 has an opening 40. The trap comprises a fixedforaminous top 41, which may be made of netting, the fixed top 41 extending between the end 3 and the partition 39, and between the sides 2. The top 41 has an opening 42 through which the door 10 reciprocates. The trap includes a movable top, denoted generally by the numeral 43 and including a loop-shaped frame 44,

whereunto a netting panel 45 is secured. By means of eyes 46 or the like, one end of the frame 44 is mounted on the upper edge of the'partition 39 so that-the movable top "43 can swing to and from an open position.

The free end of the frame 440i the top 43 carries'a pivotally mounted latch 47. adaptedto cooperate with a keeper 48 on the end 4, to hold the top 43 in closed position.

The trigger 34 extends slidably and movably through the panel 45 of the top 43.

In practical operation, the parts are disposed as shown in Figures 1 and 4 of the drawings, theiinger 3T 01' the trigger 34 being engaged with the eye 38 of the lever 24, to hold the door 10 in an up-litted position. The an mal enters through the opening 6 in'the end 3' and, passing through the opening 40 in thepartition 39 gains access to the bait on the carrier portion 36 of the trigger 34. When thetrigger 34 is moved the finger 37 of the trigger 34'is detached from the eye 38 on-the lever 24, whereupon the door 10 moves by gravity to a closed position. As the door slides downwardly, behind the strips 7 of the guides on the end 3, the beveled end 1 5 ofthe latch 14 cooper- At its lower end, the

ates with one of the spacers 8 and moves the latch 14 inwardly, the spring 16 being com pressed. JV hen the door 10 arrives at a closed position, the latch 14 is advanced by the action of the spring 16 and is engaged in theseat 9 to hold the door closed. Owing to the tact that the pin or projection 17 on the latch 14 is accessible through the slot 12 in the door 10, the latch may be retracted, and the door raised, at the will of an operator.

Owing to the specific construction of the member 18 the same exercises a twofold oiiice. First, since it extends entirely across the body 1 or the trap, it forms a convenient bail whereby the trap may be littedand carried about. Secondly, it forms a fulcrum for the lever 24. The brace or retainer28 likewise exercises a double-function. .First,

'it constitutes a place of pivotal mounting for the trigger 34. Secondly, since the arms 30 are extended downwardly along the sides 2 of the trap and are engaged with the sides of the trap, as shown at 31-32 in Figure 10, the said member 28 acts as'a reinforcement for the trap tending to prevent a distortion, spreading or warping of the sides of the trap.

Although the trap rormingtthe subject matter of this application is intended primarily for catching rats, it maybe made in any desired size and be used for taking animals of any sort. The trap does not mutilate any animal which may be caught in it. Therefore if chickens or other animals enter the trap, they can'be removed without injury. Owing to the fact that the trap comprises the'netting members 45 and 41, the trap is well lighted and the animals in the trap will not attempt to gnaw their way out. Since the trap includes the inter- I mediate partition 39, the animal in the trap is required to pass through the opening 40 in the partition, before-gaining access to the bait, and consequently, one animal already in the trap will not interfere with the entrance of another animal; 3

What is claimed is r A trapcomprising ends and sides, one of the ends having an opening; a combined lifting bail and fulcrum member including an intermediate portion and depending arms, the arms extending downwardly along the fulcrum member and engaged pivotally with the door; a trigger mounted to swing on the support, the trigger and the lever being provided with interengaging elements; and a hinged top for the trap, the notches serving to space the intermediate portion of the support from the top.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CARL SORENSEN.

Witnesses:

JULIAN W. Cmmss, WALLIS CoBoNs. 

